For the first time in history, Bangladesh will host the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup, a landmark event that begins tomorrow at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium in Mirpur. In preparation, the World Cup trophy was officially unveiled today, accompanied by the announcement of group allocations.
Bangladesh has been placed in Group A, a highly competitive bracket featuring Thailand, Uganda, Germany, and defending champions India. Meanwhile, Group B consists of Iran, Chinese Taipei, Poland, Nepal, Zanzibar, and Kenya, creating a balanced field that promises intense competition throughout the tournament.
The inaugural Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in 2012 was held in India, where the host nation captured the title. Bangladesh finished fifth out of 16 teams, an impressive achievement that has set high expectations for the home tournament.
Rupali Akter, Bangladesh’s captain, emphasised progress over glory. “We were fifth in the first World Cup. This time, our goal is to perform even better,” she explained. The tournament will also mark the conclusion of Rupali’s international career, making her role as captain particularly poignant. “I have played Kabaddi since 2009, but this is the first time I have captained my country at such a prestigious event. Leading the team in my final World Cup is incredibly special,” she added.
Today’s trophy unveiling ceremony took place at the official residence of the Chief Adviser in Jamuna, attended by all eleven team captains. Distinguished guests included Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser; Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Youth and Sports Adviser; Vinod Kumar Tiwari, President of the International Kabaddi Federation; and Baharul Alam, IGP and President of the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation, alongside General Secretary S M Newaz Shohag.
With the home crowd providing strong support, Bangladesh will aim to showcase growth and resilience against some of the strongest teams in the world, while India’s presence in the group adds an extra layer of challenge for the host nation. This tournament represents both a test and a celebration of the progress of women’s Kabaddi in Bangladesh.